Apparently, there is a place in France where the naked ladies dance

By Devin D. O’Leary

What do mental institutions, schools, hospitals, law enforcement, military training, the court system, social security, legislature, public housing, sports, the arts and erotic entertainment have in common? Well, one could reasonably argue that they’re fundamental cultural institutions endemic to nearly every society on Earth. Or you could just say that they’re all subjects that have attracted the attention of prolific documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman. Since his notorious (if rarely seen) 1967 documentary Titicut Follies, the law-professor-turned-filmmaker has become America’s most passionately dispassionate observer of basic social constructions.

“Adventure Time” on Cartoon Network

By Devin D. O’Leary

Television is a vast wasteland filled with discarded husks of sitcoms, endless reality shows and the occasional oasis of entertainment. It’s a lot of territory to cover. As a result, I can’t always be there on the ground floor to alert people about the coolest, hippest shows about to premiere. I have, for example, only recently discovered the joy and wonder that is Cartoon Network’s “Adventure Time.” I’d browsed the occasional episode since its debut in 2010 and found it interesting enough—but I recently hit some sort of critical mass and am now a rabid, proselytizing fan.

Casting Encased

The about-to-shoot local indie horror feature Encased is looking to fill a couple of lead roles. First up is “Daisy,” a mid-20s Caucasian female with tattoos and piercings (described as a “Fairuza Balk American History X” look). Next up is “Xavier,” a mid-20s male Japanese rocker, also with tattoos and piercings (described as a “Gackt” look for you J-pop fans out there). Both roles are paid and will be covered under SAG ultra-low contracts. If you think you fit the bill, send a résumé and headshots to encased2013@gmail.com. According to the producers, SkyeView Productions, Encased will be a horror/slasher film about four college students battling an ancient Japanese demon trapped in an old video game. The film will begin production in the summer and is expected to release Halloween 2013. The film will employ approximately 35 New Mexican crew members along with 16 principal roles. In the meantime, you can scope out the film’s Facebook page.